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Iranian Defense Minister In Baku For Security Talks

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  • Iranian Defense Minister In Baku For Security Talks

    October 11, 2010
    Iranian Defense Minister In Baku For Security Talks

    BAKU -- Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi arrived today in Baku on a
    two-day visit to discuss expanding bilateral military cooperation and
    regional security, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reports.

    Vahidi told journalists at the Baku airport that his meetings with
    Azerbaijani officials will be beneficial for both countries and for the
    region. He said he will also discuss Caspian Sea-region security and
    stability issues with Azerbaijani officials.

    Azerbaijani Defense Minister Safar Abiyev told Vahidi that Baku wants
    stability in the region but that Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan
    undermines regional security, the Defense Ministry's press service
    reported.

    "Some states have not recognized Armenia as an aggressor state. They
    render economic and military assistance to the aggressor while declaring
    Azerbaijan a friendly and brotherly country," Abiyev said.

    Iran has political and economic ties with both Armenia and Azerbaijan.
    Yerevan and Baku went to war from 1991-94 over the breakaway Azerbaijani
    region of Nagorno-Karabakh, which is controlled by ethnic Armenians.

    Some analysts say Iran wants to use the Qabala radar station, which
    Azerbaijan currently leases to Russia.

    Azerbaijani military expert Uzeyir Cafarov told RFE/RL that Iran is
    concerned with its own security.

    "Iran is concerned that U.S. soldiers could come to the region and
    create a threat to Iran. But Azerbaijan has its own interests, and the
    final decisions [regarding Qabala] will become known early next year,"
    Cafarov said.

    Niyaz Yaqublu, who heads a Baku think tank, says Iran is taking
    diplomatic steps in the South Caucasus because it fears international
    sanctions. "But Iran has not changed its basic attitude toward
    Azerbaijan; this country's political existence and economic development
    are not advantageous for Iran," he said.

    Iranian President Mahmud Ahmedinejad and parliament speaker Ali Larijani
    -- who is on a visit to Armenia today -- are scheduled to visit Baku in
    November.

    Iran canceled its visa requirement for Azerbaijanis early this year, but
    Azerbaijan has not reciprocated as it fears an influx of migrants from
    Iran.

    An estimated 15 to 25 percent of Iran's population of some 74 million
    people are ethnic Azeris.




    From: A. Papazian
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